Chance apparatus



B. E. STALTER CHANCE APPARATUS June 9, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed D eC. 11, 1947 ma im? N W MNM mf@ 11| //////,7 //////////A A A .QWN @WN 1N VENTOR.

ATTRN EYE June 9, 1953 Filed Dec. 11, 1947 June 9, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 11, 1947 NNW NWN

m m O lllLll rllll N, mi @mkv i. QN .a -II A E @in mwNwww QN MNN uw u2 w. -wiwwlwh M r amym@ ATTD RN EYS B. E. STALTER CHANCE APPARATUS June 9, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A w Sm A W@ Filed Dec. 11, 1947 SLV/A S ATTE! RNEYS B E STALTER CHANCE APPARATUS l 'i u June 9, 1953 Filed Dec. 11, 1947 Patented June 9, 1953 UNITED STATES PATNT OFFICE CHANCE APPARATUS Burton E. Stalter, Buckeye Lake, Ohio Application 'December 11, 1947, Serial No. 7 91,019

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates lto amusement devices and more particularly to devices of the character wherein there is a contest betvveen the player and the machine.

Itis an object ofthe present invention to provide an amusement device in which the player attempts to guess Jthe particular combination of a group of keys which, when depressed, Will constitute a winning play.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device adapted to receive coins and so arranged that the machine may not be played without the previous insertion oi a 'coin of suitable denomination. The coin operation is desirable where the machine is located ina public place but Wherethe machine is individually owned the coin control mechanism may 'be omitted and manual control such as a push-button substituted therefor.

Other objects of the present invention are'to provide an amusement device oi Athis character which is of simple construction, `has a minimum number of parts, each of which is designed and arranged so that :there is little opportunity for breakage, and which will be inexpensive to manufacture and eicient `in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding .of the invention, reference may be had to the detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which.:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through i an amusement device constructed in accordance with the invention, taken substantially on line I-| oi Fig. 2, the inner mechanism being shown substantially in side elevation, with some parte being broken ,away and other par-ts being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional View taken through the casing near its top, the inner mechanism being shown in top plan, some parts being shown iragmentarily.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary and enlarged plan View of the coin receiving mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line '5 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 'l-l of Fig. l.

Fig'. B is a side elevational view of one of the rack discs.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken on line 9 9 or Fig. 1 and locking upon the interlocking portions extending between the operating levers.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the lowerfportion of the locking mechanism for the operating levers.

Fig. l1 is a fragmentary and sectional viewfof one of the contact terminals.

Fig. l2 is :a schematic Wiring diagram for the electric circuit when the No. 1 lever is moved to the down position.

Fig. 13 is a wiring diagram vshowing the arrangement of the switches when the No. 2 leveris down.

Fig. 14 ris a Wiring diagram .showing the ar rangement of the circuits when the No. `3 lever `is down.

Fig. 15 is a Wiring diagram ofthe system Showing the arrangement of the :switches when Nos. l and 2 levers are dow-n.l

Fig. 16 is a wiring diagram of the system showing the arrangement of the ysvvitches when Nos, 1 and 3 levers are down.

Fig. ,17 is a wiring diagram-of the system Sflluvv, ing the arrangement of the vswitches when Nospl and 3 levers are down, and

Fig. `18 is a wiring diagram of the system showing the arrangement of the switches when '.2111 three levers are down.

Referring now to the figures, 52| represents a casing preferably of metal in which the working parts of the device are housed. Three .levers numbered l, 2 and 3 `extend from the casing and are arranged .to operate respectively three-single pole, double throw switches in conjunction with a code wheel, protective cut-out mechanism, coin operated playing release, and Winning indicator mechanism. A smallpilot lamp 22, when 0.11-, will indicate that the device is ready .to be played.

Current is supplied to the device through a cord 23 which may be connected to any Wall receptacle. The coin receiving device extends vfrom the machine and is indicated at 241. The only parts thus extending from the machine are the operating levers, the electrical .cord and the coin receiver slide.

There are seven dilerent plays possible 'by the use of Athe three levers, as they may :be used .individually, in pairs, or all three at the will of the operator. Each depression of a selected lever or combination of levers constitutes a separate play. The success of the player depends solely upon his skill in guessing the proper play at the right time. Obviously, if desired, a greater number 0f playing levers may be used and the'numberof combinations may accordingly be increased. f

In the invention, there is included a key cycle control, constituting la means for perrnittifng` de.- pression of each lever VWhile yet preventinlc,r its return until a full down stroke is completed.

Figure 1 best illustrates the construction of this means. Each of the levers 2, 3, is integral with a depending arm 26. This is disposed between a pivotal connection 21, that is the fulcrum point of the lever, and the lever handle. An arcuate rack bar 28 normally engages a lateral stud 29 on the lower end of the arm 26.

Pivotally connected to each lever, adjacent the arm 26, is a depending bar 3|. Near the lower end of the bar, there is formed therein a short longitudinal slot 32. By means of a pivotal connection extending through the slot 32, one end of a rocker arm 33 is joined to the bar. Rocker arm 33 is provided, intermediate its ends, with a notched depending ear 33. ing the ear is a spring-pressed detent 34.

The rocker arm 33 is fulcrumed on a pivot pin 35. This also serves as a pivotal mounting for the lower end of the rack bar. The rocker arm has a forward extension 34' against which the rack bar is pressed by a spring xedly connected at one end to the rocker arm.

Normally, the spring-pressed detent 34 engages in the forwardmost of two notches of the ear 33', as shown in Figure 1, wherein the parts are illustrated in their normal position. When the player depresses the lever, however, the stud 29 slips over the teeth of the rack bar, spring 35 yielding as necessary to permit this, but nevertheless continuously pressing the rack bar forwardly so that the lever will be engaged against return movement if released in any intermediate position.

The bar 3|, meanwhile, is being moved downwardly, but does not as yet disturb the rocker arm 33, due to the lost motion connection defined by the slot 32.

Just as the full extent of downward travel of the lever is about to be completed, the upper end of the slot 32 engages the pivot element connecting the rocker arm 33 to the bar 3 i As a result, motion is now imparted to the rocker arm which, as the downward travel of the lever is completed, causes the extension 34 to carry the rack bar out of contact with the stud 29.

The lever is thereby released for return travel, and simultaneously, the detent 34 is engaged in the other notch of the depending bar 33. This holds the rocker arm in its new position, so as to prevent, for the moment, the rack bar from swinging back into its normal position.

As the lever completes its return travel, the lower end of the slot 32 engages the rocker arm, and returns it, and of course the rack bar, to normal position.

Referring to Figure 2, it is seen that each of the levers 2, and 3, is provided with an identical means of the type described.

The invention further embodies means for holding the levers normally locked, until released for play by a control mechanism that in the present instance is coin-actuated, and for interlocking them during the play in a manner to prevent additional levers being added after the play has started and the player has begun to depress the particular lever or levers he has chosen.

The control mechanism will be described hereinafter. For the present, the description will be confined to the lever locking means. Referring to Figure l, there is a lateral projection 36 on each lever between the arm 26 land the handle end of the lever. This is above, and thus is normally .engaged by, the upper end of a latch bar 31, thereby normally preventing depression of the Yieldably engag- 4 lever. Each latch bar 31 has a normally vertical portion, and a short downwardly inclined portion 31. A weight 41 is carried by the inclined portion 31.

Each latch bar 31 is fulcrumed on a pivot shaft 48 extended horizontally and transversely of the machine, spaced stops 45 and 46, disposed at opposite sides of the latch bar, dening the extent of swinging movement permitted the bar.

Also pivoted on the shaft 48 is a lock bar 42. This also is angular, having an upwardly and forwardly inclined portion and a depending portion. Rigidly connected to and extending rearwardly from the upper portion is an arcuate rod 43, surrounded by a spring 44 continuously held under compression. The rod 43 has its other end extended through, and slidable in, an ear formed on the latch bar 31. The rod is headed at this end, to prevent withdrawal through the ear.

The depending portions of the several lock bars 42 are all rigid with a master lock bar 42. This extends transversely of all the levers I, 2, and 3, and is best shown in Figure 10. The lock bars 42 therefore have joint movement, as distinguished from the latch bars 31, which are not so joined.

Normally, the latch bars 31 and the lock bars 42 are in the full line positions shown in Figure l. This is their position when the machine is not in use. They are held in this position because a cam |40 is pressing the master lool: bar forwardly, as shown in Figure l. This cam will be described in detail hereinafter. For the present, it is suicient to state that its position is controlled by the coin mechanism. When the cam.

is in the full line position in Figure 1, before insertion of a coin, the several springs 44, pressing against the ears of the latch bars 31, press the latch bars against the stops 45. Therefore, any attempt to depress the levers will only bring the projections 36 thereof against the upper. ends of the latch bars.

However, if the cam |40 is moved away from the master lock bar,l as it would be by operation of the coin mechanism, thus permittingl backward travel of the master lock bar, the weights 41 will immediately drop to the dotted line positions shown, bringing the latch bars 31 against the stops 46, and thus will permit depression of the levers. Explaining this in more detail, if

the cam |40 is moved out away. each associatedv latch bar 31, weight 41, lock bar 42, rod 43, and spring 44 will all move as a unit to the dotted line positions shown, with the lock bar 42 moving simultaneously with latch bar 31,' by reason of the pressure of the spring 44. Spring 44 does' not expand in this operation, since it is already at its full limit of expansion, as determined by the length of the rod 43. amounts, during this` particular operation, to a rigid connection between the latch and lock bar.

The levers 2, 3, are now free 4and can be depressed. It is pertinent to describe at this point, accordingly, the means for preventing thev The spring actually slot 40. Thus. the connection between arm 39 and link 4I is a lost motion connection.

When the lever is depressed, the slot til permits suicient travel of the lever as to allow its projection 36 to move downwardly .past the upper end f the latch bar 31 (now against stop 45). This much downward travel oi the lever is permitted without disturbing link :il and, therefore, lock bar d2.

However, as soon as the projection has cleared the latch bar, arm 39 engages link 4| and be gins to urge it rearwardly. Therefore, the particular lock bar 42 connected to the link is also moved rearwardly, as are all the other lock hars 42, since they are all ccnne-cted for joint. movement.

This causes springs 44 to urge rearwardly, against stops 55, those latch bars El associated with levers not chosen by the player. Therefore, these levers can not be brought into the play after the play has started. All movements described in this paragraph `and Ythat immediate ly preceding occur as soon as the chosen lever or levers clear their `associated latch bars.

So far as the chosen lever or levers is concerned, its associated latch bar 37 will not move rearwardly against stop 55 because the proj/ece tion 36 will be interposed therebetween. In this case, spring i4 compresses as necessary, and rod d3 simply slides rearwardly in the ear of the latch bar.

The description so far provided relates to (l) a means for requiring full travel of selected levers; (2) a means that normally locks the levers against use; and (3) a means that interiocks them during use against the addition of levers other than those selected, the last two lever control means being combined in a single mechanism.

Mechanisms which the levers themselves conn trol will now be described.

First among these is a circuit control means including switches associated each with a lever.

Fixed to the inner end of each lever is an upstanding plate `t) (see Fig. 1). In the present instance, these are substantially L-shaped. Secured to the casing top, above each plate, is a double-throw switch 5l, having opposed contacts 52 and 54. A contact member 53 is secured to the plate 5i). This is positioned for engagement with contact 52 when the lever is in normal position, and with contact 54 when the lever is depressed. A circuit including contact 52 and contact member 53 is normally closed. However, double-throw switch 5| lopens this circuit when the lever is depressed. Near the end of the downward travel of the lever, the switch closes a circuit including contact 54 and contact member 53. The results accomplished by this circuit arrangement will be described.

The invention embodies means for returning a depressed levei` to normal position. I provide for this purpose the spring 55. This suices for all three levers, and is disposed adjacent one side of the casing 2l (see Figure 2). The lower end of the spring is connected to a fixed bracket 5l. This is fixedly secured to one of a plurality of posts 55 that support the pivot shaft 2l. The upper end of the spring is connected to one end of a master operating bar 85 extended transversely of the machine (Fig. 2), this being positioned above al1 the upstanding plates 5d for engagement by any one of them.

Thus, when any lever or combination of levers is depressed, one or more plates 50 elevate the 6. master operating bar 85,l against the 'action of the spring 55. When the lever is released for return, spring 55, tending to compress, `causes bar to press the engaged plate or plates 50 downwardly, Aand thus returns the lever or levers to normal position. The bar 85 is carried on the free ends of arms B6, that are pivoted on the ends of pivot shaft 21.

A cut-out switch means will 'now be described, this being for the purpose of preventing a player from choosing a particular lever or combination, and playing it continuously until he wins.

Pivotally connected `to the inner end of eachl lever E, 2, 3, is a depending hook bar 58. The hooked lower end of each hook bar bears against the inclined top surface of an upstanding restraining plate 5c, mounted on the bottom of `the casing `2l andl disposed transversely thereof, so as to be common to all `the hook bars. Springs El connected to the hooi; bars 58 and to `posts 5t hold the hook bars against the restraining plate.

Nhen a lever is depressed, the hook bar is elevated, and engages a cut-out wheel 52, there be* ing a separate wheel 'for each lever. This wheel is illustrated separately in Figure 8, and it is there seen that'it is formed with a series of notches c3, three in the present instance, that are engageable by the hook bar. On such engagement, rotatable movement is imparted to the wheel by the hook bar, to the extent of one notch for each lever depression. When the lever is returned to normal position, the hook bar again is engaged by the plate 59, which will hold it in normal position, against the action of spring l, until a subsequent play.

The wheel, when advanced one notch or step as described, is held in the advanced position by a latch member 64 'disposed on the opposite side of the wheel (Figure l) Each latch meinber Gd is pivoted on a shaft 65, extended transversely of the casing and common to all the latch members, and normally is pressed continuously against the wheel by a spring Eli. Thus, if a hook bar 58 engages the uppermost notch 53 as it appears in Fig. l `or 8, the associated latch member will be pressed into the lowermost of a diametrically opposed series of notches 5t on the wheel. Then, although the hook bar will be released from its engagement with notch 53 when the lever is returned, latch member td will remain engaged in a notch 63', and will hold the wheel in the advanced position. The next play of the same lever will normally advance the wheel 62 associated therewith one more notch or step, with latch member iis entering the next higher notch and locking the wheel in its new position until the next succeeding play.

On the third and last advancement of a par-l ticular wheel 62, a lateral stud tl' thereon is brought against a cutout trip 6l', whereby an arm d3 of a cutout switch opens a circuit including leads Si) and lt. There is but one cutout switch, but it is capable of being broken by any of the studs 6l', as best shown in Fig. 7. This circuit will remain broken as long as any latch member 64 is engaged in the uppermost notch 63' of its associated wheel.

There is a latch release means provided, hcwever, to release the latch member @il of any wheel. Each latch member has an angular es tension 'i3 near its upper end, as best shown in Figure l. Fixedly connected to each lever l, 2, and 3 is a laterally extended trip arm M, having a dowmturned linger 12. Referring to Figure 9, these are each of inverted U-shape, with the trip arm of lever I bridging lever 2, and having its nnger 'l2 positioned over the latch member of lever 3. The trip arm of lever 2 bridges lever I, and has its finger over the latch of lever i; and the arm of lever 3 bridges -lever 2, and has its finger positioned for engagement with the latch of lever 2.

Therefore, if lever l is depressed, its linger will depress the extension i3 of the latch member of lever 3. It thereby disengages that latch from the cutout wheel 62 associated with lever 3. The engagement of the nger with the latch extension occurs near the end of the downward travel of the lever.

It is seen, then, that each lever advances its own wheel and releases one of the other wheels. When two levers are depressed, one wheel is advanced while two others are released; and when all three levers are depressed, all three wheels are released (see Fig. 9), the normal step-up of the wheels not occurring in this case because there is nothing to hold them in the advanced positions to which they are moved by the hook bars.

Although it would seem from the above that a player could use the combination of three continuously and defeat the purpose of the cutout switch (since this combination can be operated any number of times, successively, without breaking the circuit) it will be seen hereinafter that a code wheel S0, to be described, has only two combinations of three out of a total of twenty, while there are three of each of the other six possible combinations therein.

When a wheel 62 is released, it is returned to the normal position shown in Figure l by a spring 18, one end of which is attached to the wheel, and the other end of which is attached to the bottom of the casing as at 19. The return travel of the wheel is brought to a stop when the wheel reaches normal position, by a tooth I9 of the wheel coming against a xed stop 1l.

The wheels S2 are each rotatable on a common shaft 8l extended transversely of the casing.

A master switch arrangement is included in the invention. Reference should be had to Figs. 1 and l2. A switch 83, secured to the underside of the casing top, is normally open, and is operated by the master operating bar 85. Almost at the end of the upward movement of the bar, it engages the lower arm of the master switch and closesl the switch. As the depressed lever begins its return travel, and the bar is lowered, the switch springs open.

Master switch 83 is not an absolute necessity in the operation of the device but serves to protect the various contacts in the -device from normal arc burn. The switch closes at the extreme end of the downward stroke of the levers, after all other contacts have either been opened or closed. It is the rst switch to open after the electrical portion of the device has functioned, as the lever begins its upward or return stroke. Practically all arc burns are absorbed by this switch and is the only switch likely to require replacement during the life of the machine.

Actuated by depression of any lever or com-` bination thereof is a code wheel operating means. There is but one code wheel, designated 80, and for the purpose of imparting the desired movement thereto, one of the arms 86 has an elongated depending extension 8,1 (Fig. l). When the arm 39 is swung upwardly (by plate 59 elevating bar 85 on depression of a lever) the eri- A Pivotally joined toi'thefextension4 B1 is one end of a hook arm 89. The hook or dog at the free end of this arm engages in any one of a peripheral series of notches 9| on the code Wheel. Thus, when extension 8l moves rearwardly during the downward travel of a lever, it carries the hook arm rearwardly also, so that the arm moves out of the notch in which it has been engaged, and drops into the next higher notch.

When the lever is released for return travel, extension 8l now is swung to the right in Fig. 1, due to the pull of spring 55 on the master operating bar 85. Hook arm 89 thus advances the' code wheel one twentieth of a revolution, there being twenty notches 9| on the code wheel .in the present instance.

It is desirable, as will appear, that the movement of the code wheel be relatively slow. I provide for this through use of a small vacuum dashpot 92 (Figs. 1 and 2) xedly mounted on a suitable bracket adjacent the hook arm 89. At one end, this has an escape valve 93. Slidable in the other end is the piston, to which is pivotally joined one end of the rod 92. The rod has a short slot in its other end, receiving the same pivot pin that serves to connect hook arm 89 to extension 87.

Whe-n the hook arm is moving to the left in Figure l, the dashpot does not slow the movement, because the valve 93 permits the quick escape of air on the instroke of the piston. However, on the return movement of the hook arm, during which it is moving the code wheel, a regulated intake valve 93 permits air to enter the dashpot cylinder only slowly, and this acts to slow the return movement of the hook arm.

The purpose of the slot is to permit the initial movement of the hook arm, during its return travel, to be unretarded, to allow the master switch 83 to be opened instantly, upon release of the depressed lever.

The code wheel 89 rotates on a shaft 95 journalled in opposed bearing members 96. The wheel is made of any suitable insulating material, and is provided with a plurality of electrically conductive contacts 91. Reference should be had particularly to Figs. 1 and 12. It is there seen that the wheel is formed with six concentric series of transverse openings, these being arranged in twenty radial rows. Three of the contacts 97 are employed in each row, being fitted into selected openings, the remaining openings of said row not being so plugged. The arrangement of the contacts varies from row to row.

It is the location of the contacts in a particular row that determines whether a winning lever or combination of levers has been selected by the player.

Carried by the opposed bearing members 96 (see Figs. 1, l1, and l2) are brush holders 98. In the present instance, there are six on each member, these being oppositely aligned and disposed radially relative to the axis of the code Wheel (Fig. 1). As a result, each advancement of the code wheel brings another radial row of contacts 97 in register with the brush holders 98.

The brush holders carry contacts 99, that are spring-pressed against the opposite faces of the wheel by springs ISH As the wheel advances one step, some of the contacts 99 engage those contacts 91 that are in the new radial row presented. The arrangement of the contacts 91 in said new row determines which of the six pairs of contacts 99 will be so engaged.

By reference to Fig. 12, it may be noted that the contacts 97 are not fully hush with the cpposed aces of the wheel, thus dening shallow recesses into which the contacts 99 are pressed. This permits accurate positioning of the wheel at the end of each advancement. It is because of this construction that the rate of movement of the code wheel is retarded by the dashpot, since it is undesirable that momentum be imparted to the wheel, thereby to prevent the contacts 99 from engaging, and remaining, in the recesses.

Included in the invention is a coin mechanism, designated generally at 2li, and best illustrated in Figs. 1 through d and (somewhat diagrammatically) in Fig, l2. This serves as a means which when actuated, will close, for one play, a circuit between the house supply and the machine, and which will also unlock the levers for the play.

Projecting from the side ol' the machine, near vits bottom, is a coin slide l t3. rThis is mounted in a substantially fiat slide housing |03' (in Fig. 3, the housing cover is removed, to show construction details). A spring ltd, connected to the slide and to the housing, yieldably holds the slide normally extended from the device.

A slide control is provided which, should vone attempt to operate the slide without a coin, will stop the inv/ard travel or the slide before it can open the machine for a play. Referring to Figs.

3, 4, and 5, pin Ht is journalled in the opposed side walls of the housing m3'. Fixed to the pin is a lingerv i i5, the i'ree end of which normally extends downwardly into a longitudinal slot H5' formed in the coin slide in communication with the coin opening H15.

Also fixed to the pin is a catch ill (Fig. 5) this normally resting on the coin slide surface near one side edge thereof. If, then, a player pushes the slide inwardly without a coin, catch lll will drop into a notch l i8 formed in the coin slide, almost immediately, and will prevent any further inward movement.

When, however, a coin is used, the coin raises the linger l l when it passes thereunder, and this simultaneously elevates catch lll until the notch it has passed the catch.

On further inward travel of the coin slide, the inserted coin comes against a pivoted shoe |01 lFigs. 3 and l2) and forces it inwardly in a short slot N33 of the coin slide housing, against the action of a spring lill. This brings contact it-l of the shoe against fixed contact HU, and closes the circuit to the operating parts of the machine, at the same time closing the circuit including the pilot lamp 22 (Fig. l2). Pilot lamp 22 is positioned below a legend, such as Flay when lit, cut into the casing of the machine. The player is thus advised that the machine is ready for play.

Concurrent with closing of the circuit, the coin slide, during its inward travel, frees the levers for play. Referring to Figs. 3 and 6, the inner end of the coin slide is formed along one side with downturned yoke arm R08. Positioned in the yoke is one end of a cam-actuating member hit'. This is swung laterally by inward movement of the slide, and thus partially rotates an upwardly extended cani shaft ii, fixedly connected at its lower end to the member Ht. Fixed to the upper end of the cam shaft is the cam lill). The position of the cam it@ is thereby changed, so that it no longer presses against master lock bar 42', and the result is that all the latch bars 3'! are permitted to fall, as hereinbefore described, to a position permitting depression of the levers l, 2, and 3.

The coin slide, when pressed inwardly by the l0 player, is to be locked at a predetermined point of inward travel, against return to normal extended position. This is for the purpose of keeping the circuit to the machine closed, until cornpletion of the single play.

To this end, I provide a holding dog H2 pivoted to one side of the slide housing |03'. The dog is integral with an angular extension |29 connected to one end of a spring 32d. The other end of the spring is connected to an anchor post t3! extending from the slide housing. The holding dog is continuously but yieldably urged toward the slide housing.

The inner end of the coin slide 03 has a hook arm H3, formed with a cam face on the hook portion thereof. When the slide is pressed inwardly, the hooi; arm cams the dog away from the housing. As soon as the hook arm passes the dog, however, the dog, under the action of its spring', engages behind the hook, and thus locks the coinv slide` against return movement.

The dog engages behind the hook arm just as the coin moves shoe H31 into circuit-closing position. Thus, the coin slide is locked in its inner position with the coin lodged against shoe |01 and holding the circuit closed,and with the cam actuating member swung to a position in which cam M5 is held away from the master operating bar 42. The circuit being closed, and the levers free, thc single play can now be made.

The bottom of the coin slide housing H13 has a coin discharge opening l2@ which is disposed approximately below the shoe lill. The `coin drops through this'opening at the completion of the play. However, during the play, the coin'is supported against dropping by a pair of retain,- ing lingers l22'and H23 (Fig. 3). The coin is slid onto the free ends of these lingers just before it engages shoe 101, and is supported entirely thereby during the play. f

The other ends of the fingers are pivotally joined as at 426, and the lingers are yieldably drawn toward each other by a spring |27 extended therebetween. They can move no closer toward cach other than the parallel position illustrated, however, because of an intervening stop r|27 secured to the oor of the slide hous- Means are provided for releasing the coin slide immedately upon conclusion of the play, and reference should now be had to Fig. l. One end oi a sliderelease lever 8B isl pivotally connected to the lower end of the extension 31 of arm t8. Accordingly, during downward travel of a lever I, 2, 3, or combination thereof, the slide release lever will be drawn to the left in Fig. l.

Tending to press the slide release lever upwardly is a leaf spring 81'. This presses the slide release lever against a pin 88'.

Positioned above the slide release lever p88 is a push rod I2l. This is mounted to slide transversely through the coin slide housing 103', as best shown in Figs. l and 3. Normally, one end of the push rod contacts the holding dog H2. The extent of travel of the rod in either direction is limited by providing a pin, carried by one of the frame members of the machine, that is received in a shortl slot formed in the push rod (Fig, 1). The push rod is restrained by a spring I2I.

A tooth 2 is integral with the slide release lever 88, and also formed on the lever 88 is a cam face 83e. As the release lever is drawn to the left in Fig. l, the tooth l2 clears the end of the push rod and the cam facepresents itself v`to pin 88', thereby elevating the lever to a position where tooth |29 can engage the end of the push rod.

The result is that when the operating lever or levers are released by the player for return travel, the slide release lever 88, now moving to `the right in Fig. 1, presses the push rod to the right also. The push rod thereby is caused to press holding dog I |2 out of engagement with hook arm H3 of the coin slide. The slide, now free, immediately returns under the pull of its spring to normal extended position, awaiting the next play of the machine.

When the coin slide returns, it returns the cam actuating member |48' to normal position, so that cam |49 again becomes normallyl positioned vto prevent depression of any of the operating levers.

The push rod also spreads apart the retaining ngers |22 and |23, so that the coin drops out, thus releasing shoe |61 and opening the circuit.

.This is accomplished by providing a lateral finger |22', integral with the push rod, that moves retaining finger |22. Also, a nger |23 Yis pivoted at one end to the push rod, and is fulcrumed intermediate its ends to the bottom of the coin slide housing. 'Ihis moves retaining ringer |23 in the opposite direction.

Referring again to Fig. 1, during the return travel of the slide release lever 38, cam face 88 again bears against the pin 88', and thuscams the release lever downwardly, disengaging it from the push rod. Spring |2|' of the push rod is thus free to return the push rod to its normal position.

The electrical operation of the machine will :aow be discussed. The current required enters through cord 23, plugged into the house circuit, not shown. The current enters and leaves at H33 (Fig. 12), passing through fuse elements |3ll.

In Figs. 12 through 18, the path of the current through the various leads can readily be seen for each of the seven possible lever selections, by nfollowing the heavy lines and direction arrows. In each case, I have illustrated as an example a winning play. Taking Fig. 12, the player has selected and depressed lever alone, and has won, because that radial row of contacts 91 on the code wheel marked 1 is disposed between the brushes. The contacts of this particular row are so arranged that on depression of lever alone, a continuous circuit will be closed through the complete machine, including a win-indicating mechanism; Had the player selected some other lever or combination thereof, an open circuit would have resulted had contact row l been moved to brush-engaging position.

In Fig. 12, wherein lever has been moved to its lower position, the current iirst passes through contacts |09, lill, held together by the inserted coin. Then, it is led through master switch 33, now clos-ed by the bar 85.v The lead from the master switch is 'to that switch 5| associated with lever Since contact member 53 of this switch has been movedto engage contact 54, and is not in circuit with contact 52, the current is led directly to the code wheel as indicated by the arrows, and passes through contact 91 in the top opening.

Continuing, the current leaves the code wheel, and is now led through contact member 53 of lever and the engaged contact 54. Then, it is led to the switch of lever 2. Here, contact member 53 has been left in engagement with contact 52, lever 2 not having been depressed, so the lpath is through these contacts and thence to the code wheel.

Passing through the middle contact 91, the current now is led directly to that switch 5| associated with lever 3. Again, lever 3 has not been depressed, so the current is led through its associated contact member 53 before returning to the code wheel. The current, returning to the code wheel, now passes through the lowest contact 91.

rlhe current is now led to the cut-out switch, and providing this has not been opened by depression, for too many times in succession, of a particular lever or combination thereof, the current moves through this switch, and is led to a solenoid |36. This has its plunger |4| connected pivotally to a spring-restrained arm |39. A segment |38 on the arm is in mesh with pinion on a pivoted indicating arm |31.

The indicating arm travels over a dial, at the top of the casing (Fig. l), on which is indicated any suitable legend, as for instance, the words Yes and No Normally, the solenoid |36 is deenergized, and the arm points to No However, if the solenoid is energized, as would be the case in the illustrated example, the arm |39 is swung, under the pull of the plunger |4| and against the action of the spring, to the Yes marking.

Any type of electrically operated win-indicating means could as well be used, as for instance, a chime, a bell, or a lamp bulb, to state a few examples.

It is not believed necessary, in the light of the above description of Fig. 12, to describe similarly Figs. 13 through 18.

However, one characteristic may be noted throughout, and is worthy of mention. Two of the six openings in each radial row on the code wheel are associated with each lever. The outer pair of openings is associated with lever the middle pair with lever 2; and the inner pair with lever 3. To win, a contact 91 must be in the upper opening (considering Fig. 12) of a partien ular pair of openings if the lev-er associated with that pair is depressed; and in the lower opening, if the lever is not depressed. If these con ditions are not met, the circuit is open, and of course, the win-indicating means will not be energized.

Note, for example, Fig. 13, illustrating a winning play. Lever I should not be depressed, since its associated contact 91 is in the lower of the pair of openings associated with lever I; lever 2 should be depressed, its contact 91 being in the upper opening of its associated pair; and lever 3 should not be depressed, its associated contact being in the lower opening of the bottom pair of openings. Since all these conditions are met (and assuming the cut-out switch has not been opened) the circuit is closed to the wim-indicatmg means.

This same characteristic can be observed by reference to Figs. 12 and 14 through 18. In each case, the conditions are met for each lever and a win is therefore indicated. This characteristic can also be observed by noting the Contact arrangements in the respective contact rows on the code wheel as shown in Fig. 1.

Contacts 91 are removable, so the relative arrangement of the radial rows can therefore be changed as desired, to prevent over-familiarity with the contact row sequence.

It may be worthy of note, further, that it is not critical to the invention that these be ex- 13 actly twenty contact rows on the code wheel. Nor is there any critical relationship between the number of contact rows and the number of levers. The number of either may be increased or decreased, as desired.

l claim:

1. An amusement apparatus including a plurality of operating levers each mounted for movement independently of the other levers for selective operation individually and in combination, a code wheel, a pair of opposed bearing members rotatably mounting said code wheel, a pluvrality of electrically conductive contacts that are irregularly spaced apart in said code wheel, a plurality o sets of electrically conductive contacts that are spaced at regular intervals on each of said bearing members in the path of the contacts in said code wheel, an electrical circuit connected to each set of the contacts on said bearing members and the contacts in said code wheel being adapted for selective engagement with the contacts on said bearing members, means responsive to the operation of any lever to advance the code wheel, a lever interpolated in the electrical circuit to each set of contacts on one of said bearingy members, a switch interpolated in the electrica-1 circuit to each set of contacts on the other of said bearing members in the path of said levers and each of said circuits being adapted to closed when the code wheel in a predetermined position in relation to operation of selected. levers to engage their respective selected switches so that certain of the contacts on said cod-e wheels are in engagement with certain of the contacts on said bearing members, and win-indicating means operable upon the movement of each of said levers, whereby each actuation of the levers due to the spacing of the contacts on said code wheel and said bearing members may or may not cause a circuit to the win-indicating means to be energized by the closing of certain of said interengaged circuits.

2. The amusement apparatus as in claim 1 wherein, means is provided to require movement of any lever through substantially its full extent of travel.

3. The amusement apparatus as in claim 1 wherein, spring-pressed rack bars yieldably engage the respective levers to prevent return of any lever to normal position until each lever has been moved through substantially its full extent of travel.

4. The amusement apparatus as in claim 1 '-.vherein latch bars normally engage the respective levers to hold said levers against operation, and means is provided for releasing the latch bars simultaneously and means is also provided for returning to normal position the latch bars of levers not selected for operation on the initiation of movement of the selected levers.

5. The amusement apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a cutout switch is provided in the circuit and means adapted to be operated by said levers is also provided for causing the cut out switch to open on successive operation of the same combination of levers for a predetermined number of times to prevent repetition of the same combination of levers, and means is provided that is responsive to the operation of other levers for Closing said switch.

6. An amusement appartaus including a plurality of operating levers each mounted for movement independently of the other levers for selective operation individually and in combination,

means requiring movement of any lever through substantially its full extent of travel for the operation thereof, latch bars normally engaging the respective levers against oper-ation, means for releasing the latch bars simultaneously, means adapted to return to normal position the latch bars of levers not selected for operation on initiation of movement of the selected levers, a code wheel, a pair of opposed bearing members rotatably mounting said code wheel, a plurality of electrically conductive contacts that are spaced at irregular intervals in said code wheel, a plurality of sets of electrically conductive contacts that are spaced at regular intervals on each of said bearing members in the path of the contacts in said code wheel, an electrical circuit connected to each set of the contacts on said bearing members and the contacts in said code wheel being adapted for selective engagement with the contacts on said bearing members, means responsive to operation of any :lever adapted to advance the code wheel, a lever interpolated in the electrical circuit to each set of contacts on one of said bearing members, a switch interpolated in the electrical circuit to each set of contacts on the other of said-bearing members in the path of said levers and each of said circuits being adapted to be closed when the code wheel is in a predetermined position in relation to operation of selected levers to engage their respective selected switches so that certain ol the contacts on said code wheel are in engagement with certain of the contacts on said 'bearing members, a lcut-out switch in each circuit adapted to be opened on successive oper-ation of the same combination of levers for a predetermined number Iof times, means responsive to the operation of other levers for closing said switch, and win-indicating means operable upon the movement of each of said levers, whereby each actuation of the levers due to the spacing of the contacts on said code wheel and said bearing members may or may not cause a circuit to the win-indicating means to be energized by the closing of certain of said interengaged circuits. 7. The amusement apparatus as in claim 6 wherein a slide is provided that in normal position will prevent closing of the circuit, means actuated by the movement of the slide after the placing of a coin in said slide to free the levers for operation, means adapted to close the circuits by the levers when the slide is moved to another position, a cam normally locking the latch release means, means connected to the slide for moving the coin out of normal position when the slide is in the last-named position, yielding means adapted to retain the slide in the lastnamed position and lever responsive means for returning the slide to normal position.

Great Britain Jan. 25, 1934 

